The hottest Medicine Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Good Vibrations, Bad Virus

Ladyparts • 259 implied HN points • 06 Jul 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Be cautious of the new Covid strain BA.5, which experts compare to viral meningitis and can lead to hospitalizations and deaths. Stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect yourself.
  2. Understand the potential impacts of BA.5 on the brain, including blood-brain barrier crossing, clot formation, inflammation, and neuronal damage. It's crucial to be aware of these risks for your health.
  3. Seek medical attention promptly if you experience hearing issues due to Covid or other reasons. Consulting a specialist like Dr. Babak Sadoughi can provide effective treatments like steroids and surgical interventions to restore hearing.

When To Use A Colon

Fireside Chat Logs • 39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Preparing for a colonoscopy involves adjusting your diet, avoiding certain foods, and going through a medication prep to flush your system of excess and debris.
  2. During the colonoscopy procedure, you are typically given anesthesia via an IV, experience no pain or discomfort afterward, and might even get full-color photos of the inside of your colon as part of the service.
  3. Despite the mystery and discomfort often associated with colonoscopies, having photographic evidence of your colonoscopy can be gratifying and may even lead to interesting conversation starters.

64. Medicine and Artificial Intelligence

Spyderdoc Newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 22 Nov 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. AI will change how we detect diseases by analyzing medical images and lab tests more accurately than humans can. This allows doctors to focus on interpreting the results and caring for patients.
  2. With AI tools, treatment decisions will become more personalized. Doctors can use data to understand how different patients might respond to specific therapies instead of relying on general guidelines.
  3. AI will reduce the time doctors spend on administrative tasks like note-taking and scheduling. This gives them more time to connect with patients and provide better care.

Sweethearts, Doctors, Teachers…It’s AuToMaTiC

ailogblog • 39 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Medicine
  1. OpenAI is focusing on selling non-romantic companionship through their AI models to create more invested relationships with users.
  2. There are debates regarding the effectiveness of AI models in various fields like tutoring and medicine due to their lack of meaningful reciprocity and understanding.
  3. In education, the potential of AI tools lies in augmenting the classroom and extending help to reach students who may not have access to traditional tutoring.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #121

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 113 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Medicine
  1. SpaceX successfully launched its Starship rocket, showing impressive advancements in reusable spacecraft technology. This progress is critical for potential lunar and Mars missions in the future.
  2. Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, has implemented significant economic reforms that have led to positive results like reducing inflation and achieving a fiscal surplus. His methods may influence similar government efficiency efforts in other countries.
  3. A breakthrough in quantum technology introduced a new type of qubit using mechanical vibrations. This can help improve quantum computing and create advanced technologies for various industries.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Comparisons Are Necessary

Parrhesia • 456 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Comparisons, even sensitive ones, are crucial in scientific and political contexts.
  2. Ignoring genetics in discussions can lead to misunderstandings and replication problems.
  3. Selecting healthier embryos based on genetics for future children is reasonable and beneficial.

What Science Can Learn from Car Mechanics

Asimov Press • 251 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Applying the Five Whys technique helps to identify the root cause of complex problems effectively.
  2. Investigating and understanding the root cause of diseases like diabetes requires in-depth research and methodology.
  3. In science, it's crucial to focus on finding root causes in biology and medicine to advance our understanding of complex diseases.

Of Experts And Echo Chambers

Good Reason • 284 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Experts can be wrong and have been wrong throughout history, like medieval doctors with bloodletting.
  2. Expert communities often become echo chambers, reinforcing shared beliefs and resisting change.
  3. Challenging experts and subjecting beliefs to testing, even within scientific-minded groups, is important to avoid falling into the trap of groupthink.

The Peyote Way: Desert Wisdom & The Red Road 🌵

Tripsitter • 59 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. True understanding and knowledge are acquired over time, aligning with the growth habits and resilience of the peyote cactus.
  2. Peyote is a medicine with teachings of humility, perseverance, commitment, courage, gratitude, and love.
  3. The history of peyote involves a ban by the United States government, challenges with conservation, and its impact on consciousness and spiritual practices.

Why the NT in SNT?

Gordian Knot News • 95 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. The term 'No Threshold' in radiation discussions is important because it highlights that there is always some risk from radiation exposure, even at low levels. It's a reminder that we can't completely eliminate risk, just like every time we leave our homes.
  2. The current thinking on radiation risk, called Linear No Threshold (LNT), suggests that even small doses are harmful. However, real-life examples, like workers who handled radium, challenge this belief and show that low doses may not cause significant harm.
  3. Critics of LNT often focus on proving a specific threshold for safety, but this can weaken their argument. The idea that there’s a threshold is seen as a tactic that allows LNT to persist, even though it might not hold up against real evidence.

Forget Gene Therapy. Microbes are the Future of Medicine.

Eat Shit and Prosper • 159 implied HN points • 28 Oct 22
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Microbes in our gut act like software, constantly changing and adapting, while our genes stay mostly fixed. This flexibility allows our bodies to optimize their functions more effectively.
  2. Unlike permanent changes in our DNA, mutations in microbes can lead to quick advantages without the risk of harmful outcomes. This means our body can benefit from favorable changes without damaging our core genetic makeup.
  3. Using microbes to adapt to different diets or conditions is faster and less risky than gene therapy. Microbes evolve quickly, making them a promising tool for improving health and dealing with diseases.

What's new in biology: summer 2025

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. A personalized gene therapy using CRISPR has helped a baby with a rare genetic disease, allowing him to eat more protein without harmful effects. This shows how quickly treatments can be developed for urgent medical needs.
  2. New RSV vaccines are significantly reducing hospitalizations for infants in the US, proving to be effective in protecting young babies from severe respiratory infections. If more infants got vaccinated, there would be even fewer hospital visits.
  3. A new cholesterol drug, obicetrapib, is showing promise in lowering LDL levels for heart disease patients, even those already on maximum doses of statins. It seems to have fewer side effects, making it a good option for many.

Science writing update, August 2023 edition

Science Fictions • 229 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. LK-99, the 'room-temperature superconductor', turned out not to be true despite initial social media hype and extravagant claims.
  2. Transparency in scientific publication processes, like preprints and peer review at eLife, can lead to challenges like circulating false claims.
  3. The approval of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease may not always mean groundbreaking results, highlighting the importance of critically analyzing scientific breakthrough claims.

BREAKING NEWS: Prof. Dr. Bob Wachter, Deranged UCSF Dept. of Medicine Chair, Finally Caught Covid, Fainted in Shower, Is Now Recovering at Home

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 239 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
📰 News Medicine
  1. Prof. Dr. Bob Wachter, a noted figure in Covid Chronicles, caught Covid despite precautions.
  2. Wachter, a double vaccinee, got infected after his last shot and fainted in the shower due to Covid-induced dehydration.
  3. His experience led him to ponder on hospitalizations 'with Covid' versus 'for Covid.'

Unmasking Depression: The Evolutionary Catalyst for Growth

Based Meditations • 39 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Depression serves a vital evolutionary purpose towards individuation and growth, contrary to being seen as a mere problem to be fixed with medication.
  2. Depression is often associated with lifestyle issues such as high stress, lack of control, and poor habits, indicating a strong need for change in one's life.
  3. Nature sends signals through depressive states to prompt individuals to make lifestyle adjustments that prioritize survival and well-being, acknowledging depression as an evolved feature and not an error to be suppressed with drugs.

New words #5

Mutual Information • 39 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
🚌 Education Medicine
  1. Discover new words by looking them up when encountered in podcasts or readings.
  2. Some new words include pluriennial, isoprene, trammel, polysemy, coruscate, mezuzot, kasher, sheikha, and more.
  3. Words like xenotime, mountebank, salubrious, and antepenultimate highlight the vast diversity in the English language.

Action Potentials for May

Neurobiology Notes • 39 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Scanning electron microscopy in the mouse hippocampus allows for 3D reconstructions with synaptic annotations.
  2. Neural circuitry in zebrafish shows persistent representations for head orientation.
  3. Goldfish boundary neurons selectively fire at the edge of a water tank.

Compilation Post 2

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. The AI industry is rapidly evolving and impacting various sectors, with a rise in incidents of misuse and growing demand for AI-related skills.
  2. Different perspectives on regulating AI and the importance of considering equilibrium and feedback mechanisms in AI development.
  3. Climate and energy topics like the declining cost of cultivated meat and the impact of global warming on temperature-related deaths are being discussed.

Is It Possible That We Are Winning?

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Medicine
  1. Novak Djokovic's victory at the Australian Open symbolizes a triumph over challenges, including the government's vaccination stance.
  2. There is a potential shift in the tide of public opinion, indicated by significant events like Novak's win and other global developments.
  3. The current state of global affairs reflects a complex battle where heroes and symbols play an important role in bringing hope and courage to the fight.

Theriac: ancient miracle or modern mirage?

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💾 History Medicine
  1. Theriac, an ancient panacea, was once believed to be a miracle cure for various diseases, originating with Mithridates VI as a remedy for poison.
  2. Scepticism around theriac's effectiveness dates back centuries, with concerns about its elaborate recipe, potential for adverse effects, and inconsistent composition.
  3. Dr. William Heberden, an 18th-century physician, criticized theriac as ineffective and potentially dangerous, leading to its decline in popularity over time.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #80

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 114 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. The Vesuvius Challenge unlocked ancient knowledge by digitizing old scrolls using AI and 3D technology.
  2. The O'Shaughnessy Fellowships offer $100K for individuals to work on ambitious projects for a year.
  3. AI chatbots in mental health increased patient referrals, showing potential in closing accessibility gaps in treatment.

Against Searching for Saints

afternoon walk • 2 HN points • 15 Jul 24
🚌 Education Medicine
  1. Incentives should focus on supporting people who already exhibit desired behavior, rather than modifying behavior with rewards.
  2. Human motivations and interests are diverse; not everyone needs incentives to do good work.
  3. Identifying and hiring motivated agents who align with organizational goals can be challenging due to the complexity of human motivations.

Plague in Suffolk, 1910

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. Plague, a feared disease in history, unexpectedly invaded Suffolk in 1910, spreading rapidly and causing tragic deaths.
  2. The outbreak highlighted the importance of sanitary measures, including eradicating rats to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.
  3. Efforts to contain the outbreak involved isolating patients, quarantining contacts, and implementing strict hygiene practices to protect the community.

Look for the next bottleneck

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 23 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Medicine
  1. Optimization is a constant process in our daily lives. We look for ways to make things easier, faster, and cheaper to achieve our goals.
  2. Bottlenecks are points that limit the effectiveness of a system. Identifying these bottlenecks helps us understand what is holding us back.
  3. Disruption can happen when new technologies find a way around existing bottlenecks, leading to better solutions and opportunities. Staying curious and willing to change is key to innovation.

Everything Wrong with Mouse Studies (Kinda)

Asimov Press • 180 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Many scientific results from mouse studies do not translate well to humans.
  2. Various factors like cage location, scientist's sex, and even odors can impact mouse studies.
  3. Considerations like using more female mice or adjusting environmental factors can improve the reliability of mouse studies.

How I make chlorine dioxide solution (CDS) for less than 8 cents and no messy chemicals

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 9 implied HN points • 14 Aug 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Chlorine dioxide solution (CDS) can be made easily and cheaply, costing less than 8 cents for 95mL. It takes under 19 seconds to prepare with no messy chemicals involved.
  2. CDS is suggested as a treatment for various infections, including viruses and bacteria, and can also be used for household cleaning and water purification.
  3. The author emphasizes the importance of having the materials ready in advance, so you can use CDS quickly when needed, especially for respiratory infections.

Language, Understanding and Medicine

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Medicine
  1. Language plays a significant role in understanding and medicine according to Gurdjieff's teachings, suggesting that understanding is dependent on language.
  2. Gurdjieff's exploration of language, human mentation, and understanding is closely linked to his teachings on medicine, hypnotism, and consciousness.
  3. The concept of understanding is viewed as a form of medicine, serving as a harmonizing factor in our lives.

'Greater depths of depravity': Dr S R Chamley (part 2)

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. Dr. Chamley used fraudulent cancer-cure businesses using aggressive tactics and ineffective treatments that had no real impact against cancer.
  2. He pressured patients to buy his cure through threatening letters, showing a lack of moral integrity and poor customer service.
  3. Chamley's personal life revealed cruelty and control over his wives, with reports of threatening behavior and manipulation, demonstrating his unpleasant nature.

A distinguished bloodline: the medicinal leech

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. Leeches have been used in healthcare for thousands of years, appearing in medical texts dating back to ancient civilizations like the Ancient Egyptians and Greeks.
  2. In the 19th century, leech therapy was not just about balancing humors but also about reducing inflammation and maintaining pulse, showcasing the gentle and practical nature of medicinal leeches.
  3. The use of leeches in modern medicine has shifted towards their anticoagulant properties, making them valuable in cases like reconstructive surgery to prevent venous congestion.

Scattering diamonds: mercury and the pox

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💾 History Medicine
  1. The 18th-century treatment for syphilis involved using mercury in various forms, like internal medicine, skin rubbing, or fumes, which often had dramatic effects on patients.
  2. Patients undergoing mercury treatment experienced severe side effects like violent diarrhea, excessive saliva production, and mouth sores, making it difficult to hide the nature of their illness from others.
  3. Daniel Turner, a surgeon from that era, also used cinnabar fumigation for syphilitic sores, involving inhaling potentially lethal mercury vapors, which was preferred by patients over long courses of calomel treatment.

The evolution of The Quack Doctor

The Quack Doctor • 19 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Medicine
  1. Started as a blog sharing fascination with history of medical advertising and led to non-fiction book commissions.
  2. Struggled with feeling repetitive in blog posts without a PhD, but moved to Substack to explore broader topics like health and crime.
  3. Transitioning blog to formal encyclopedia of patent medicine and planning to introduce a podcast on Substack.

Ultima Genomics...$80 Genome...$0 Genome...

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Ultima Genomics has improved its sequencer, allowing more output per run and lowering costs significantly. This means sequencing the genome will cost around $80 now.
  2. The new technology uses larger features which help boost throughput without needing complex techniques. This makes the process simpler and more efficient.
  3. While these changes are great for users, their long-term impact on the company’s survival is uncertain. It’s important that they remain financially viable to continue providing these benefits.

A Cellular Symphony: The Song of the Cell Reviewed

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
🔬 Science Medicine
  1. Cells are the basic unit of life, each acting as a decoding machine for genes and building block of organisms.
  2. Cell biology is a vast field encompassing genetics, molecular biology, and more, and studying cells is crucial for understanding life and disease.
  3. In his latest book, Siddhartha Mukherjee explores the history and importance of cellular biology, emphasizing that cells are the elementary particles of organisms.

The “doorknob phenomenon” in user interviews

UX Psychology • 59 implied HN points • 18 Feb 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Medicine
  1. In user interviews, the 'doorknob phenomenon' describes when interviewees wait till the end to share significant information, similar to patients telling crucial details as they leave the doctor's office.
  2. To prevent the 'doorknob phenomenon', ask participants open-ended questions like 'Anything else?' during the interview to encourage them to share more.
  3. Avoid rushing to fill awkward silences in interviews as intentional silence can prompt interviewees to offer additional valuable insights.